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But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:14

We understand that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is not our own efforts, but is His efforts. It is only by coming with no merit of our own, but as sinners who sin, with no excuse or righteousness of our own merit, and by coming to the bloody cross with our own souls, that we enter into Christ’s life within. It is only in the fullness of that finished work that we have any life whatsoever. Paul called any efforts besides simple faith in the cross to be “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1).

On the other side of this is Jesus’ Words, saying, that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and Sadducees, we will in no way ever enter the Kingdom. He said that the gate was small, and the the road to life was hard and narrow. Only a few find it.

Between these two places on either side, which we could call ditches, we find the road. Narrow as it is, it is still the road, and it must be traveled.

When we learn to preach the fullness of His Grace hand in hand with the narrowness of the road, we will have begun to understand the finished works of the cross.

The fullness of the Spiritual life is a heart inspired by love that walks in responsibility.

Jesus, our Pattern and Teacher, was a man under authority. Much was given to Him, and much was required of Him from the Father.

When the Life of the Spirit and the love of our Savior grows to such a point, it encompasses and takes the place of every other thing. It is our all in all. While for some, this may come quickly, for others, it has grown over time.

But, the place of the Spiritual man is life in Christ.

There is no life in another. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

For Paul said that when our obedience is made perfect, our every disobedience would be punished.

Is this at odds with the Cross and the Grace of God? No more than continuing to sin that Grace would abound.

The beginning portion of this verse says that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus said that He came not only that we might have life, but have it to the full! The moment we begin to think that in some way, that this fullness of life has anything to do with this life, let us remember the apostle John’s words.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

All of my desire is in this one thing, to see His Face (Psalm 27:4). If we truly have this hope in ourselves, we will purify ourselves (1 John 3:3).

The New Testament is replete with examples that underscore the fact that the God of the Old Testament hasn’t changed His desire for purity and holiness as a lifestyle for those who are of His house.

Hebrews 12:14 says without holiness no one will see Him. 2 Corinthians 7:1 indicates that we should do it out of reverence. It was because of His reverence that Jesus was heard of His Father when He prayed (Hebrews 5:7). Ephesians 5:6 indicates strongly, lest we give way to being deceived with empty words, that God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient. Even Jesus Himself, in Matthew 5:48, commanded us to be perfect, even as the Father is perfect.

A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Luke 6:40

Imagine that your job is to teach blind musicians to water-ski… You know everything about how boats work, how the water dynamics and the waves affect you. You know about the tow-rope, the skis, and watching out for other watercraft. It’s really not a difficult thing for you to do, or teach. Only now, you’re dealing with people who don’t have a clue, and don’t have even an ability to have a clue. Yet…

Jesus said that no one could see the Kingdom unless they were born again (John 3:3). Jesus’ ministry on Earth was to teach and preach concerning the Kingdom of God. When Jesus was faced with the throngs of followers early in His ministry, and told so by His disciples, He simply said, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” (Mark 1:38). Early success and popularity did not distract Him.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-20

God’s original standard to Adam was holiness. And, in failing that, by one man’s sin, death came to all.

God’s standard to Moses was holiness. He who broke the smallest commandment was guilty of all, and hence deserved death. He who sinned under the law deserved death, and even Gentiles, who were not aware of the law, proved that they were indeed under the law, for they demonstrate that the law itself was written on their hearts, so that their own hearts condemned them. Therefore, he who sinned with the law, and he who sinned without the law, both perished because of it, for failing to meet God’s standard. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Finally, we come to the New Covenant, and for some reason, people think things have changed. And, indeed they have changed, quite a bit, but God’s desire and conditions for complete fellowship really have not.

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

Matthew 5:1-2

When Jesus sat down on the mountain, He wasn’t just talking to them, He was talking to us. What He was teaching was not just a good lesson, it was the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. What he showed was the perfect walk of faith, failures, a picture of what living the by Spirit looks like, how to communicate with God, why it is enough and we don’t need to fear, and the true nature of sons of the Kingdom. Finally, He gave it’s guarantee. Those who follow His instructions will stand.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

This verse is Paul’s advice on how to avoid sin. This is the simple solution to the issue plaguing the church today.

I call it the Million Dollar Question, that is, why are new testament believers not living according to their new creation nature? We know why the world does, because it’s in ’em. But, why does a Christian?

In a stable, outside an inn, Jesus came in the flesh, God became man, and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the only begotten, full of grace and truth.

God gave Moses the tabernacle, the law, and the seat of government over the children of Israel. He specified every detail, the number of poles, the size of the curtains, and even the number and material of each clasp. Nothing was overlooked.